Jordan – UK El Hassan bin Talal Research Chair in Sustainability

The Jordan – UK El Hassan bin Talal Research Chair in Sustainability is a joint initiative between the British Academy and the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan (RSS). Its aim is to enhance the research and innovation capacity of Jordan for long-term sustainable development.

• The Jordan – UK El Hassan bin Talal Research Chair in Sustainability is a new collaboration between the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan (RSS) and the British Academy initiated in 2020 and supported by the Newton-Khalidi Fund.

• The availability and supply of highly skilled researchers capable of driving excellent research and innovation is of the utmost importance for the sustained growth of the Jordanian economy and for improving its competitiveness in a world economy that is increasingly becoming knowledge based. This programme is aimed at increasing research capability in Jordan through the development of human capacity and the generation of new knowledge in an area that is of strategic relevance to Jordan. It is also intended to support the realisation of Jordan’s transformation into a knowledge economy in which scientific knowledge translates into socio-economic development.

The specific objectives of the programme are to:

• Expand research and innovation capacity within the social sciences and humanities in Jordan with a particular focus on the area of sustainable development and issues of relevance and importance to the local context;
• Improve Jordan’s international research and innovation competitiveness while responding to socio-economic challenges in the country;
• Attract and retain excellent researchers;
• Create career pathways for early career scholars, with a strong research, innovation and human capital development trajectory;
• Support institutional capacity strengthening for research and innovation within RSS and nationally; and
• Promote increased and sustained research collaboration between Jordan and the UK.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be established researchers who hold a doctoral degree (or have equivalent research experience) in a discipline within the social sciences or the humanities.

• Applicants must currently hold, or have recently held, the position of Professor – including Associate Professor. They should be outstanding and innovative researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their field. They should be recognised internationally as leaders in their field and/or have received substantial international recognition for their research contributions. They should also have a strong track record of attracting and supervising postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, taking into account the practices of their subject area.

There are no restrictions on the nationality of applicants. It is desirable, albeit not essential, that applicants have a working knowledge of Arabic.

Value and Duration

• The award is expected to run for 4 years from a starting date to be agreed with the British Academy and the RSS on or prior to 1 September 2020.

• The available award is up to £240,000 per annum over 4 years. This includes the Research Chair’s salary and research expenses (including costs related to any periods spent in the UK) as well as financial support for up to five early career scholars who will be appointed by the Research Chair and will also be based at the RSS.